2017 Public Education GPS Results

Favorability of Public Schools has slipped eight percent since 2011. Overall, 39 percent of all New Mexico residents have a favorable impression of public education.

Geographically, residents in Eastern New Mexico have the highest level of favorability for public education. However, over the past seven years, Albuquerque was the only region where residents increased their favorability toward public education. That is not a ringing endorsement of the Albuquerque Public Schools because only 37 percent of residents in the Metro area have a favorable opinion of Public Schools, lower than the state average.

Demographically, strongest support of public education can be found among females, residents with a high school diploma or less and those with a graduate degree.

Interestingly, residents who have a high school degree or less have declined in favorability of public education. Since 2011, favorability has slipped 23 percent among this demographic.

Solution

Goal – Increase public education’s favorability among New Mexico residents.

Research – Use the GPS’17 data to identify aligned favorable industries and cross reference strengths of demographics who have a high trust of teachers.

Research – Use the GPS data to identify news and information sources accessed the most by those who support the industry.

Planning – Develop an approach to empower supporters of public education to share their story.

Execution – Share positive news about public education as it relates to the favorable/trusted industries and people/professions through the media most accessed for news and information.

Evaluation – There will be increased storytelling about the positive outcomes of public education.